Smith and Jones

Well that was a long wait over! I've been looking forward to David Tennant's second series with the eager anticipation of my inner (earthly) child. This time the wife and I hooked up with one of my oldest friends to watch Smith & Jones, and had a stimulating conversation beforehand about how we believe Tennant to be the best Doctor since Tom Baker...and how we dislike Michael Grade etc...

But to Ms Jones, and I have to say that while the episode will not go down in my lists of classics it nevertheless did its job. Although we started with the soap element, RTD wisely toned things down compared to "Rose" and we were given just enough to glimpse into Martha's life and why she might prefer travelling in the Tardis to staying earthbound. Martha has a family, and like many families they squabble over the everyday issues...she has grown tired of it all.

So what of the story? It seemed quite light, which is perhaps not a bad idea for the series opener. However I preferred last year's "New Earth". I thought the plot was only worthy of one 45 minute episode, although more details of the alien's crime might have been of interest. I did enjoy the glee on her face whenever she brought out her drinking straw!

I liked the Juddoon, and was pleasantly surprised to find out that they are intergalactic police rather than evil monsters. It lends the otherwise two-dimensional species some character and would also make future appearances more interesting. Indeed of all the new alien races we've seen since Doctor Who's reincarnation, the Juddoon are the one I would most like to see again. I'd imagine a writer on good form could hang a really interesting story on the whole intergalactic law and police operation.

I'm getting used to RTD's brand of humour, and I suspect he's restraining himself a little too. I actually found myself chuckling at times, though I was afraid that the Doctor might fart away the radiation in the x-ray room. I wonder what shoes he'll be wearing next week?

Martha and the Doctor seem to have hit it off well, I do like that Martha is a thinker. I loved the Rose character but Martha is necessarily different and that should ensure her success.

Overall it was light, tea time family entertainment with enough Doctor Who to just about satisfy...perhaps the most satisfying parts were in the detail such as Tennant miming "its bigger on the inside"...I am hoping for better stories in the coming weeks.

6.5/10